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China through My Lens: Hainan Insider
By: Elizabeth Kiderlen
American expat Elizabeth Kiderlen and Rechard Li Yu, her Chinese photojournalist husband, run the Boao Inn Bed & Breakfast, a cozy four-room inn near the beach in Bo'ao on China's tropical Hainan.  Photography is their passion, one they gladly share with guests on their private guided photography tours that put visitors within viewfinder range of secluded beaches, rare flora and fauna, and remote Li and Miao villages accessible only by boat. "Leave Sanya and Haikou for the tour bus groups," says Elizabeth. "We... more >>
User reviews
Very good hotel, excellent for the price...
Posted by: sverdy
  Time: 30-Jun-2009 15:06

Great hotel, not as fancy as the Sheraton or Lijang Waterfalls (there is no gym, no pool) but for 168 Yuan it's a steal. Try to get a room on the higher floors... more >>

Destination: Guilin
Avg. Score: 4.8
Great place to stay
Posted by: TLJ Ewen
  Time: 30-Jun-2009 11:00

This hotel is located in Jinqiao, which is about 10 km outside Luijiazui and 6 km from Science & Technology (a.k.a. the Fake Market). The area is green and fill... more >>

Destination: Shanghai
Avg. Score: 4.8
Renaissance Shanghai Pudong Hotel
Posted by: BrendanJ
  Time: 29-Jun-2009 17:28

Pudong is nothing to write home about. I wouldn't recommend it as a resort town by any means. The very urban environment leaves one asking where all the trees w... more >>

Destination: Shanghai
Avg. Score: 4.0
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Destinationsmore destinations

From Tian'anmen Square to the Forbidden City, from the Great Wall of China to the Temple of Heaven, Beijing easily packs in more must-see China attractions than anywhere else. And that's just the old Beijing. Since its 2008 Olympic makeover, Beijing now boasts the 21st century's most innovative buildings: the "Bird's Nest" Beijing National Stadium, the Beijing National Grand Theater and CCTV Tower among them. And Beijing hotels? From boutique courtyard hotels in old hutong to rooms with a Great Wall view to 7 star ultramodern luxury, China's capital has it all. And we haven't even mentioned Beijing restaurants yet... more >>

Though it lies north of the traditional Han Chinese heartland, Beijing has been at the center of China's cultural and political life for the better part of seven centuries. The city gained its prominence in the 13th century AD when it was established by Mongol ruler Kublai Khan as capital of the Yuan Dynasty under the names Khanbaliq (Mongolian for "grand home of the Khan") and Dadu ("great capital"). It was this metropolis that impressed Marco Polo, whose tales of his time i... more >>

The best times to visit Beijing are spring (April and May are nicest) and fall (September and October can be beautiful). Beijing experiences cold, dry and windy winters, with average low January temperatures falling to -8ºC (17ºF). By July, the city's average highs reach a steamy 30ºC (86ºF) as Southeast Asia's monsoon system pushes hot and humid air northward, bringing with it regular rains. Spring and summer also see occasional sandstorms as sand and dust from the Gobi Desert blow into the city. Air pollution often combines with humidity and dust to create a thick smog that blankets the city. However, the city's cle... more >>

Visual artists, musicians and writers from around China—and, increasingly, from around the world—are drawn to Beijing for the same reason European artists flocked to Paris or Americans to New York in the past. The scene is established, but it still has a way to go, as the government continues to loosen restrictions that previously made things like rock shows, experimental theater and poetry punishable offenses. Part of the joy of Beijing today is being in the midst of what may emerge as a cultural boom every bit as impressive as China's economic boom.   Clubs & Bars   There's something for everybody in today... more >>

Beijing's food scene is as rich and varied as the vast country it has ruled for so long. The capital's cuisine boasts a wealth of dishes influenced by centuries of China's eight great culinary traditions. While Beijing Imperial Cuisine and Aristocrat Cuisine were developed for emperors and high officials by the best chefs from around the empire, common Beijingers created their own light snacks and hearty dishes, perfect fuel for a long day's work in either steamy summer heat or bitter winter cold. Unlike the south with its vast rice paddies, Beijing's staple is wheat, frequently made into flour used to make noodles and buns.   Of ... more >>

Popular forum topics more topics
Finding True Love: Parental Matchmaking Sundays in Chinese Parks
Posted by: Rebekah Pothaar    Time: 30-Jun-2009 14:42
Well, my mom has not had to wait out in a park with my CV yet to try to find me a mate. That being said, I'm 28 years old and not married...so if she were Chinese, she might start considering it.  Yes, a very chilling thought... Every ... more >>
Top Stories on CTn: Hospital Horror, Michael Jackson, Bund Tourist Tunnel, Hainan Photos
Posted by: Forum Editor    Time: 26-Jun-2009 15:20
Here is a round-up of the most popular stories on ChinaTravel.net in the past two weeks from June 15-26. Enjoy! This week's feature: China through My Lens: Hainan Insider The second in the series "China through My Lens," Hainan-... more >>
China Travel Book Review: Tales of Old Peking
Posted by: ForumEditor    Time: 23-Jun-2009 16:46
Explore the mysteries and treasures of prerevolutionary Beijing with Derek Sandhaus's colorful Tales of Old Peking (Earnshaw Books). He delivers an informative and entertaining historical collage that includes riveting first-hand accounts... more >>
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